WESTERLY, RI

Westerly, R.I. first received settlers in 1661 and was incorporated as a town eight years later. The city rests on the shoreline of Block Island Sound and borders Connecticut to the west. Westerly covers about 75 square miles, mainly adjacent to the coastline, providing residents with unmatched views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The town is famed for its granite and stone-cutting industries. Westerly granite is a unique rock used in many buildings around the area, enhancing its beauty. Residents have tight bonds; the city has a relatively low population density, with most of the area dedicated to nature. You will likely experience an unmatched level of warmth when visiting Westerly since the community has a culture of looking after its guests.

WHAT TO LOVE

Westerly is ideal for people seeking a small-town lifestyle. Westerly is less than an hour’s drive from  Providence and Hartford, allowing residents to work freely, move around, and do business in the big cities. You can easily travel to the cities and towns around Westerly without sacrificing too much of your time. The town has a slow-paced lifestyle; residents do their business with minimal anxiety and stress.

Westerly is also a beautiful, colorful, and scenic town, providing residents with numerous locations to dine, shop, and enjoy the ocean breeze. The city is perfect for young families as children will never lack outdoor activities. If you spend a day in Westerly, you will become familiar with daily life’s rhythms as locals walk, cycle, dine, and impart culture.

LOCAL LIFESTYLE

Westerly is an ideal town for both luxury and small-town living. Not many towns can offer residents a luxurious and laid-back vibe where they can live as they please. As a result, Westerly has residents from all backgrounds and interests who have found the town the perfect place to live.

DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING

Westerly’s residents have multiple options for all their dining, shopping, and entertainment needs. The Ocean House is one of Westerly’s premiere attractions, a luxury hotel housed in a reconstructed historic building. Residents will experience service on par with New England’s golden age of hospitality.

Westerly has plenty of low-key destinations ideal for spending an afternoon. Olympia Tea Room and Savoy Bookshop and Cafe both fit the bill. The former has been a neighborhood fixture since 1939 and opens upon Watch Hill Cove, and the latter hosts whimsical events throughout the year.  The Bridge Restaurant, just across the river from Connecticut, features a raw bar and vegetarian menu in a converted wheelhouse.

Westerly’s proximity to Providence provides residents with additional shopping, dining, and entertainment options. You can enjoy all modern amenities while living in Westerly while maintaining a peaceful and quiet lifestyle. Within Westerly, Compass Rose offers high-end jewelry, and Woodmansee’s Gifts and Boutique is a much-frequented women’s clothing store.

THINGS TO DO

Once you arrive in Westerly, you should not have to wonder what activities are available. The town’s shoreline and the beach offer visitors more options to have fun whenever they’re in Westerly. Some of the fun activities in the city include:

• Enjoying the scenic views while on the carousel at Merry Go Round Beach
• Spending the day at Misquamicut State Beach
• Watching classical movies at the Drive-in theater in Misquamicut
• Cooling down on the ice at the Downtown Ice skating rink
• A round of golf with ocean views at Winnapaug Country Club
• Relaxing under the sun at Wilcox Park

SCHOOLS

Some of the best schools in Westerly include;

• Dunn’s Corners School, grades K–4
• Westerly Middle School, grades 5–8
• Westerly High School, grades 9–12